Amazing time had by all at couple’s blissful union

IF there was ever the perfect antidote to a shivery Dundee winter, it has to be a gorgeous and lavish wedding.

And few would have the visual impact of the recent marriage of Dundee couple Charan Singh and Kooshal Kaur.

Charan, 33, is a well-known and popular city businessman, who runs a traditional hardware story in the city centre, while Kooshal, 28, originally hails from Mauritius.

The couple first met when Kooshal joined the store’s staff.

The two became friends — but it soon became obvious they were made for one another and, earlier this year ,they travelled to India to source the authentic traditional dress suitable for a Sikh wedding.

A Sikh wedding takes place over three days and is rich in ceremonies which have religious and cultural significance.

The Maiya ceremony, which symbolises cleansing and purifying, took place at Glen of Rait, in Perthshire. There was singing and dancing and beautiful pictures created from coloured rice as the families gathered.

On the Friday night, at the Rose Garden Suite, at the Gulistan, Broughty Ferry, there was a ceremony known as Jago, which features dancing for the female members of the wedding party.

It is one of the most striking of occasions due to the gorgeous formal dress of the participants.

On the Sunday, the groom’s preparations took place at Glen of Rait again, where Charan’s ceremonial turban was prepared (along with more rituals and gifts being handed out), before heading to the Sri Nanuk Gurdwara temple in Victoria Road, Dundee, for the wedding ceremony.

The wedding is known as Anand Karaj, which is regarded as the union of two souls and translates literally as a “blissful union”.

A Sikh marriage is joyous and festive occasion which is very family orientated and informal in terms of atmosphere.

There were family and friends from close to home and many from thousands of miles away, including Mauritius.

Following the ceremony, there was a photo-shoot in Baxter Park followed by a reception at the West Park centre on Perth Road.

A delighted Charan recalled: “It was an amazing time.

“Special thanks has to go my mother Amarjit Kaur Natt and my mother-in-law Rajini Dhoorundhur for all their hard work. We’re both so grateful for what they did to make the day extra special.

“And thanks to all the people for their blessings — I have never been happier!”